If anyone new brands out there needs any blank black vinyl coaches jackets to test print on, I have 10 ranging in sizes form S-XL. I'll let them go for the cheapness. I also have some blank tiger stripe camo 5 panels... feel free to PM me.

Does anyone else here think Karmaloop has ruined the true essence of streetwear for many brands? If true 'streetwear' entails keeping things exclusive and holding a strong brand identity then it is obvious that karmaloop strives to achieve the exact opposite. They require mass produced product and then throw it in with 200 other brands. Sure, some of these brand owners have children to feed but if you really value your brands unique identity, you can find other ways. Keep it to exclusive online retailers that embrace exclusivity and share your similar aesthetic. Brands I most respect in the game are not on karmaloop. FUCT, ONLY NY, WOR just to name a few.

If one thing stands for certain, it is that I will never put my brand on karmaloop.

Does anyone else here think Karmaloop has ruins the true essence of streetwear for many brands? If true 'streetwear' entails keeping things exclusive and holding a strong brand identity then it is obvious that karmaloop strives to achieve the exact opposite. They require mass produced product and then throw it in with 200 other brands. Sure, some of these brand owners have children to feed but if you really value your brands unique identity, you can find other ways. Keep it to exclusive online retailers that embrace the exclusivity and share your similar aesthetic. Brands I most respect in the game are not on karmaloop. FUCT, ONLY NY, WOR just to name a few.

If one thing stands for certain, I will never put my brand on karmaloop.

I feel it's quite the same as doing one of those sites, like Groupon. Yes. They have a wide distribution. But No. After your sale, chances are, all of your customers, were one-off. Why? Because you didn't build an audience -- you rented one (essentially).

So yes, I agree. Case in-point, Benny Gold. It began with Camp Hats. But once you obtain a wide-spread audience (in all fairness, his was obtained through sweat equity and quality design), you have to make certain choices.

I grew to know, and love Benny Gold for their streetwear-ness. Limited edition. Get it before it's gone. In-formal. Cultural.

Now, I see again, he's restocking his Jansport bag? Why? Previously, people acclaimed it had to happen. It was so popular.

Well I say, doesn't that only add to his brand? Won't that make his real fans, even MORE anxious for his new content? I think yes.

Then there's The Hundreds. Essentially the same model. Except they never re-release. They keep to their true model. While I'm not the HUGEST FAN, I respect that. I admire that. That passion to hold on to purpose. To grow from purpose. Not alter your purpose for money -- in the end, that never goes all so well.

Does anyone else here think Karmaloop has ruined the true essence of streetwear for many brands? If true 'streetwear' entails keeping things exclusive and holding a strong brand identity then it is obvious that karmaloop strives to achieve the exact opposite. They require mass produced product and then throw it in with 200 other brands. Sure, some of these brand owners have children to feed but if you really value your brands unique identity, you can find other ways. Keep it to exclusive online retailers that embrace exclusivity and share your similar aesthetic. Brands I most respect in the game are not on karmaloop. FUCT, ONLY NY, WOR just to name a few.

If one thing stands for certain, it is that I will never put my brand on karmaloop.

That depends on how you interpret 'exclusiveness'. Is it insanely limited runs on product, just to generate the "I want it and I can't get it" buzz? Or is it just trying to limit the crowd who wears your product?

That being said, if a site ever ruined streetwear, it was Zumiez. Fuck that site and fuck every brand on it.

Does anyone else here think Karmaloop has ruined the true essence of streetwear for many brands? If true 'streetwear' entails keeping things exclusive and holding a strong brand identity then it is obvious that karmaloop strives to achieve the exact opposite. They require mass produced product and then throw it in with 200 other brands. Sure, some of these brand owners have children to feed but if you really value your brands unique identity, you can find other ways. Keep it to exclusive online retailers that embrace exclusivity and share your similar aesthetic. Brands I most respect in the game are not on karmaloop. FUCT, ONLY NY, WOR just to name a few.

If one thing stands for certain, it is that I will never put my brand on karmaloop.

That depends on how you interpret 'exclusiveness'. Is it insanely limited runs on product, just to generate the "I want it and I can't get it" buzz? Or is it just trying to limit the crowd who wears your product?

That being said, if a site ever ruined streetwear, it was Zumiez. Fuck that site and fuck every brand on it.

Think of 'exclusivity' as choosing your friends (retailers) wisely. Karmaloop, to me, is that whore on the corner who will sleep with anyone just to get an extra buck.

I can see that some of still believe that brands value certain customers over other.....

most brands start with a local following,...then pick up new customers from the 100 boutique accounts....then pick up all kinds of new customers from the reach of major webshops.

each customer base is just as important as the other in order to continue growth and brand success.

brands will not refuse your business if this is your first "streetwear" tee.....and you get no special consideration because you believe that you are educated about the lifestyle!

you will find just about EVERY major brand in some kind of huge webstore...or a combination of webstores.....all the same thing!

if you are a local that only likes to support the flagship store..fine Get it from there.if you are a cool kid that only like to shop at boutiques...fine. Get it from the boutiqueif you are new to the game and only shop at web superstores...cool. welcome..Get it from the webstore!

It happens with every brand...the people that support early, hate when a brand grows and gets new supporters...they want brands to stay small and exclusive and keep it just for themselves and a select few people....but in reality, it was never the intention of the brand to stay small for long!

Does anyone else here think Karmaloop has ruined the true essence of streetwear for many brands? If true 'streetwear' entails keeping things exclusive and holding a strong brand identity then it is obvious that karmaloop strives to achieve the exact opposite. They require mass produced product and then throw it in with 200 other brands. Sure, some of these brand owners have children to feed but if you really value your brands unique identity, you can find other ways. Keep it to exclusive online retailers that embrace exclusivity and share your similar aesthetic. Brands I most respect in the game are not on karmaloop. FUCT, ONLY NY, WOR just to name a few.

If one thing stands for certain, it is that I will never put my brand on karmaloop.

That depends on how you interpret 'exclusiveness'. Is it insanely limited runs on product, just to generate the "I want it and I can't get it" buzz? Or is it just trying to limit the crowd who wears your product?

That being said, if a site ever ruined streetwear, it was Zumiez. Fuck that site and fuck every brand on it.

Think of 'exclusivity' as choosing your friends (retailers) wisely. Karmaloop, to me, is that whore on the corner who will sleep with anyone just to get an extra buck.

the Hypebeast store also has over 100 brands...and gets an enormous amount of web-traffic also! that is far from exclusive!

the brands that you respect are getting the same amount of web exposure as the brands that you dont.

wether you prefer Karmaloop webstore...or Hypebeat is just personal choice....but in terms of 'exclusivity' and 'whoring out'...its the same amount of traffic!

I guess the hypebeast webstore would also be a whore then...but the one in the business district..that sleeps with anyone with a collar shirt and blazer, just to get a few extra bucks!

Does anyone else here think Karmaloop has ruined the true essence of streetwear for many brands? If true 'streetwear' entails keeping things exclusive and holding a strong brand identity then it is obvious that karmaloop strives to achieve the exact opposite. They require mass produced product and then throw it in with 200 other brands. Sure, some of these brand owners have children to feed but if you really value your brands unique identity, you can find other ways. Keep it to exclusive online retailers that embrace exclusivity and share your similar aesthetic. Brands I most respect in the game are not on karmaloop. FUCT, ONLY NY, WOR just to name a few.

If one thing stands for certain, it is that I will never put my brand on karmaloop.

Karmaloop had FUCT in stock awhile ago. And while i dont shop their mostly because of their weak clothing selection, i will admit this karmaloop does have certain qualities that other sites can learn from. For one karmaloop are always having a sale and are good at having atleast 3 to 4 contest a year. Also this is 2013, having a exclusive online retailer only benefits the online retailer. Thats good for brands like supreme because they are their own retailer. But to other brands thats just trying to get their name out, the more the merrier. I think the true killer of streetwear brands is all the streetwear brands that copies off of each other. Nowadays there is no difference between brands like undefeated, 10 deep, or even truk fit except the logo.

I can see that some of still believe that brands value certain customers over other.....

most brands start with a local following,...then pick up new customers from the 100 boutique accounts....then pick up all kinds of new customers from the reach of major webshops.

each customer base is just as important as the other in order to continue growth and brand success.

brands will not refuse your business if this is your first "streetwear" tee.....and you get no special consideration because you believe that you are educated about the lifestyle!

you will find just about EVERY major brand in some kind of huge webstore...or a combination of webstores.....all the same thing!

if you are a local that only likes to support the flagship store..fine Get it from there.if you are a cool kid that only like to shop at boutiques...fine. Get it from the boutiqueif you are new to the game and only shop at web superstores...cool. welcome..Get it from the webstore!

It happens with every brand...the people that support early, hate when a brand grows and gets new supporters...they want brands to stay small and exclusive and keep it just for themselves and a select few people....but in reality, it was never the intention of the brand to stay small for long!

Look up Tesla... they don't even have a dealership? Dumb? No. They want a CERTAIN customer. How do you get them? AND exclude the others? WHILE growing your business. Targeting. Yes every brand wants to grow. But No. It's quite silly to think that you have to grow in a way that is marketing through multiple resources.

If your Benny Gold, is it better to be on Karmaloop? Once again, given his original strategy, no? Hence why his retailers likely only receive a single large shipment, rather than multiple restocks.

The Hundreds, only sells things in THSM, THSF, why? Because they are COMMITTED, to keeping their brand exclusive (and as far as I know, would NOT venture to Karmaloop).

Brand perception is very important, and is what separates In-N-Out from McDonalds burgers.

Does anyone else here think Karmaloop has ruined the true essence of streetwear for many brands? If true 'streetwear' entails keeping things exclusive and holding a strong brand identity then it is obvious that karmaloop strives to achieve the exact opposite. They require mass produced product and then throw it in with 200 other brands. Sure, some of these brand owners have children to feed but if you really value your brands unique identity, you can find other ways. Keep it to exclusive online retailers that embrace exclusivity and share your similar aesthetic. Brands I most respect in the game are not on karmaloop. FUCT, ONLY NY, WOR just to name a few.

If one thing stands for certain, it is that I will never put my brand on karmaloop.

You gotta remember also Karmaloop is just trying to give opportunity to all the people on the come up that need some place for there shirts to sell. Everyone has a different path when starting your own brand. Each individual looks at streetwear differently. I personally would not sell my clothing on Karmaloop just because I feel the same as all you guys but Pharrel even did work with them and respected there site. Its all about respect in my opinion and the perspective you look at things.

The Hundreds may have been on Karmaloop, but the also are in many other super webstores and chain stores. These dudes have HUNDREDS of accounts! ..what the hell do you mean " committed to keeping it exclusive?"

Haha honestly dudes, sure karmaloop offers massive business opportunity to brands in the streetwear market but I feel that they represent heavy aggressive capitalism within the industry. Being a brand owner that values a balance between earth, profit and people, I don't stand for Selkoe's get-rich-quick and ignore the rest mindset.

That and I despise most of the brands they carry. Pure junk with a few exceptions.

Sure, support karmaloop if it increases your sales ten-fold and gets you closer to the level of 'fame' you've been having wet dreams about. We aren't going be on the same page though.

and by the way....you say that brands should target a "CERTAIN customer"????

what exactly is that certain customer that is perfect for a particular tee shirt? any one of your favorite brands that you think should be reserved for a select few...can be purchased by ANYONE!!!!!!!

do you think brands have a servery at the checkout section of the webstore....refusing certain customers because a few fanatics want to keep it exclusive?

ALL BRANDS!!!!! sell at boutiques (whether it be owned by them or not ) ..and webstores (whether it be owned by them or not)...and ANYONE can purchase with no prob.

i see what you are saying but i think you took stillwild's use of the word "exclude" too literally. he's not saying that some brands will stop certain ppl from buying their brand. he's just saying that brands target their customers by choosing where and how they sell their clothes which I'm sure you agree with already.

Like I said before, I see where you are coming from. I think stillwild used the word "exclude" a little awkwardly which is what you are addressing in your post, but his main point is valid.